Prof Jean-Charles Picaud

Jean-Charles Picaud is full Professor of Pediatrics, since 2001. Trained at the School of Medicine in Lyon, France (Claude Bernard University Lyon 1), he served as Head of Department of the Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Montpellier, France until 2008. Since then, he has been Head of Department of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Croix Rousse University Hospital in Lyon, France.

Prof. Picaud’s clinical research focuses on the field of neonatal and infant nutrition, particularly optimisation of parenteral and enteral nutrition for very premature infants. His research has included: validation of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (measuring bone mineral density) in neonates; evaluation of nutrient utilisation and nutrient balancing; evolution of gut flora in extremely premature infants and effects of probiotic supplementation. He has published studies on the nutrition of full-term neonates and infants. Most notable was his study of the impact of low-protein intake on the increased risk of infant obesity.

Human milk for preterm infants is a major focus of Prof. Picaud’s research: specifically, measurement of human milk composition, optimisation of its fortification, and the best ways to pasteurise it, in order to preserve its quality. He is the President of European Milk Bank Association (EMBA) and French Human Milk Bank Association (ADLF). He is also a member of the board of the French Neonatal Society, working on the Committee on Nutrition.